For years, I lived in a state where there were zero Apple Stores. So going to an Apple Store was always a special trip when I could go. Now, I live an hour away from one and I get excited everytime I get to go. But what is the allure? Here are a couple of reasons why I love the experience of walking into an Apple Store:

They Have it All

This is the one place that you can go to that has nearly every product that Apple offers. Not all stores have every single item but this is the closest you can get. I think it is good that I still live an hour away from a store or I would probably have every color watch band and leather iPhone X case.

Not Pushy

Having worked in mobile sales before, I hate the entire concept of pushy salespeople. I can walk into an Apple Store and be only asked if I need help finding anything and that is it. From my understanding, Apple employees’ primary goal is to help you. I think offering that type of experience gains the consumer’s trust and they will end up spending the money there even if they can get it cheaper online. This is a huge reason that Apple retail is still a success. I took my fiancé to an Apple Store to try on an Apple Watch with no intentions of buying one. I made it out that day without one but as I was leaving, I was thinking how nice of an experience it was. They weren’t shoving product down my throat and respected my decision that we weren’t ready to purchase that day.

Come and Go

This is kind of wild but you can actually go to the Apple Store, pick up what you want from one of their shelves and buy it through your iPhone’s Apple Store app without ever making contact with an employee. I have done it once and it felt bizarre. I felt like I was doing something wrong. Apple Stores are always so busy so if you are in a hurry and need a lightning cable or case, this is ideal.

Design

Nothing comes close to the design of an Apple Store. It is clean, white and very very bright. The stores are very welcoming. When it is not packed full of people, which is rare, there is plenty of room to look around and play with all of the toys and gadgets.

Overall, if you are someone who doesn’t make it to an Apple Store often, its always a treat when you get to go. With a lot of retail failing, I really hope that Apple continues doing what they are doing and continues to be a successful retail space.

Since November, I have been living with the iPhone X. If you haven’t been following along, the iPhone X is the first iPhone without a home button. Since there is no longer a home button, Apple’s fingerprint unlock feature, Touch ID, is also gone. Because of this, Apple built in facial recognition software to unlock your phone called Face ID.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to like solely relying on Face ID because Touch ID was so fast and accurate. When I first got the iPhone X I also had the iPhone 8 Plus, which still had Touch ID. Comparing the two, there was an obvious speed and accuracy difference between them. The 8 Plus fingerprint reader was significantly faster and easier to use.

There are times where Face ID is annoying and I wish I could have Touch ID back. For instance, when your phone is sitting on a desk or flat surface you cannot unlock your phone unless you hover your head over the top of your phone. I know this might sound insignificant, but it is one of those things you don’t realize you’re missing until it is gone.

If you were not aware, there were two versions of Touch ID. The second version was a great improvement and opened your phone almost too quickly. But after you got used to it, it was fantastic to use over the older generation. My iPad Air 2 still has that first generation Touch ID sensor. It is too slow. In this instance, Face ID has the upper hand. And this is really the comparison we should be doing. Two first-generation products. When you put it in that context, I believe Face ID is leap and bounds ahead of the first-generation Touch ID.

In addition to Face ID, losing the home button gave us some truly great gestures and a new way to use an iPhone, that was very much needed.

To answer my question, yes I do kind of miss Touch ID. But I can only imagine, in two to three years, where Face ID will be. I think we will get to the point where we will look back at Touch ID and laugh.

This fall, from what the rumors are telling us, all the new iPhones may come without a home button. This is the future of the lineup and I look forward to going on this journey with Apple.

The simple answer, the one that works. But let’s look a little closer to the current phones Apple has to offer.

iPhone SE

The iPhone SE is the classic iPhone experience. You get a 4-inch screen with the guts of an iPhone 6s. If you remember the iPhone 5 and 5s, the iPhone SE will look familiar, as it is fairly identical in looks. For someone who wants that small form factor, I still think the iPhone SE is a great choice, especially for the price. This is Apple’s cheapest option to get the iPhone experience. This is also one of the last iPhones that still have a headphone jack if that is important to you. If you are on a budget or need a quick but reliable replacement phone, the SE is a fantastic choice.

iPhone 6S

Next up, we have the iPhone 6s. Originally released in September 2015, this is the oldest iPhone that Apple offers. You have two options to choose from with the 6s, you have the regular 6s, with a 4.7-inch screen, and the iPhone 6s Plus, with a 5.5-inch screen. The differences between the two, other than size, is that the Plus has a higher resolution display, photo and video optical image stabilization, and a far bigger battery.

It is a personal preference as far as size is concerned but having a Plus phone before, that battery is a monster!

As far as the 6s goes, as a whole, I would not recommend spending the money on this phone. If you can, look around at your carrier to see if they are offering this phone for free on some type of deal. Other than the SE, the 6s is one of the last iPhones that still includes a headphone jack. For some people, this is why they are still buying this phone and I can’t blame them.

iPhone 7

Like the 6s, the 7 comes in two flavors, a big and a small. The regular 7 and 7 Plus again have 4.7 inch and 5.5-inch screens.

Starting with the iPhone 7 is where I start to recommend the Plus size phones a little more. All because of that camera. You can read my original review of the 7 Plus, here. Along with the massive Plus-sized battery, the better screen resolution, the 7 Plus has a dual camera that offers a 2X optical zoom and my favorite feature, portrait mode. Portrait mode makes your pictures look a little more crisp and professional by focusing on your subject and adding some blur to the background. It is amazing to have all of this power in your back pocket.

The iPhone 7 is the first iPhone without a headphone jack. This is a pain point for a lot of people but Apple does include an adapter, in the box, that allows users to use their current 3.5mm headphones, with the phone. If you wanted to charge your phone while listening to music, I do recommend this adapter from Belkin.

I would recommend the iPhone 7 to everyone if you do not want to spend as much money on an 8 or X but still want a phone that will run Apple’s latest software without a hitch.

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus comes in 5 colors, Jet Black, Black, Silver, Gold and Rose Gold. For what it is worth, the Jet Black is my favorite. It has a glossy type back which makes the phone easier to grip when out of a case. The downside to the Jet Black is that IT WILL get scratches on it.

iPhone 8

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus is an easy yes because it is one of the newest iPhones. But the differences between the 8 and 7 aren’t as impressive, in my opinion. It does have the newest A11 Bionic processor so it will be a little quicker than the 7. Also, the 8 is the first iPhone with built-in wireless charging, which is great to have. In addition to wireless charging, the iPhone 8 supports fast charging for the first time. With the right charger, you can charge up the device to 50% in 30 minutes.

If you have been following along the difference between the regular and Plus sized phones, remain the same.

iPhone X

Here it is, the main event, the iPhone X.

I love this phone.

This is the first iPhone in years that feels new. While it is an iPhone and anyone who has used an iPhone before will be comfortable with it, Apple has done something special with this one. They have added gestures and new features that make it, in my opinion, the best phone available right now.

Goodbye home button. Since the home button has gone away, Apple had to engineer some new ways to navigate the phone. To go home, all you do is swipe up from the bottom. To change applications, a swift swipe from the left corner will do that for you.

Also, since the home button is gone, that means as is the fingerprint reader. To unlock the phone, Apple has incorporated Face ID. It isn’t as reliable as Touch ID was but it works and I can only imagine how the future iPhones are going to benefit from this feature.

Personally, the reason I love this phone so much is the size. I never cared for holding the size of the Plus but always wanted the battery and the camera. With the X, you get best of both worlds. You get a 5.8-inch screen (compared to 5.5 inches on a Plus) and is only slightly bigger than the regular 4.7 inch iPhones. This is what I have been wanting. In addition, it has the dual camera that allows us to take those lovely portrait mode pictures.

When I first started The Mealy Apple, one of my first posts was really downplaying the usefulness of the Apple Watch. I think it is safe to say, nearly a year and a half later, that my feelings about it has changed quite a bit.

Fitness

Over the past year, the Apple Watch has become my fitness companion and has motivated me in ways that I never even thought about.

The Apple Watch challenges you to close three colored rings: Move-Red, Exercise-Green and Stand-Blue. The move goal is recommended by the Apple Watch when you set it up based on your body composition and how active you are day-to-day. The green exercise ring is set at 30 minutes and can be achieved by moving briskly for 30 minutes. Finally, the stand ring, colored in blue, is a way to make sure you get the blood moving every hour. If you haven’t stood up for the first 50 minutes of the hour, you will get a little tap on your write to get your butt up.

It is oddly satisfying seeing those rings gradually move throughout the day. Or closing that exercise ring before 9am, is also a great way to start the day.

As of now, you can only see where friends are with their move goal and workouts they completed. This fall, in iOS 12, Apple is adding more competitive features to further challenge us and better ourselves.

Safety

In a tech obsessed world, distracted drivers are a constant fear. If staying off of your phone can be avoided, I am welcome to all ideas.

The Apple Watch does a great job at this. While driving, you can text back by voice. This is extremely convenient and safer than pulling out your phone and also risking being pulled over by the police.

Also, changing music or podcasts is a simple tap away. Again, a cop can cite you for distracted driving just by changing a music track if the phone is in your hand.

You may have heard in the news recently about multiple individuals giving credit to the Apple Watch for saving their lives. This is another great safety feature of the Apple Watch. It can detect irregular hearth rhythms and notify you. I have known people who have recently had heart complications to buy the Apple Watch simply for this reason. It is one of those features you hope to never see, but knowing it is there, gives me some peace of mind.

Non-Intrusive

Going back to what I said about the tech-obsessed, we are constantly looking at our phones. I have really been trying to be more present when with my friends and family and when important conversations are going on. Also, I am trying to get better at not wasting time. How many times a day do you get a text or Facebook notification and end up scrolling through Facebook for the next 10 minutes? Unfortunately, this happens to me a lot and I know it happens to the majority of us, often.

You would think the Apple Watch would be more distracting; having that tap on the wrist every couple of minutes because you got a new notification. And yes, it can be. But, I have found that it keeps me off of my phone more. My wrist might buzz because I got a new email. So I glance and see that it is junk and there is no need to pull out my phone to further get distracted. I do notice a big difference when my watch is on and when it is not.

Conclusion

So, should you buy an Apple Watch? If you have the money and think it will motivate you to be more active, I say absolutely yes. If you are into technology and think you would love to have all of your notifications literally on your wrist, go for it. Or maybe you have a family member with a history of heart problems and you think this would be a good way to monitor their health. If you can justify it, do it.

I used to say that the Apple Watch isn’t anything you need and granted, most people are getting by just fine without one. But say you aren’t just fine. We are in the future. We have technology on our wrists that can help us. Why ignore that fact?

The only reason I would tell you to wait on buying one would be because there may be a new one coming this fall. Rumors suggest that the Apple Watch may stay in its current form but lose some of the unused black space (bezel) around the screen to make the screen bigger. As always, a new iteration will most likely include a faster processor and better battery. So keep that in mind.

Currently Apple offers the following configurations:

Apple Watch Series 1– $249 for the 38mm and $279 for the 42mm – The Series 1 has an older processor, does not have GPS or a Barometer. It is splash resistant but not water resistant.

Apple Watch Series 3– $329 for the 38mm and $359 for the 42mm. Also, Apple offers the Series 3 in a cellular model so that you can use it as a standalone cellular device. The prices on those are $399 for the 38mm and $429 for the 42mm. Keep in mind, to use the cellular service on the watch, you will need to pay a monthly fee through your cell phone service carrier. The Series 3 has GPS, a barometer, is water resistant up to 50 meters, Siri talks to you and is 2X brighter than the Series 1. Also, this will work on Apple’s yet-to-be-released AirPower mat wireless charger.

Let me know if you plan on buying a new Apple Watch or think you will wait until a new one comes out.

I will probably be repeating myself with things I mentioned in my Fitbit Versa review, but it is important to explain the differences.

Just so everyone knows, I am comparing the Apple Watch Series 2. While there is a newer version, the Series 3, other than speed and a newer battery, I think this comparison will hold true to most Apple Watch generations.

Size & Design

Lets face it, when trying to put a computer on your wrist, it is more than likely that the finished product will not be pretty. The Fitbit Versa and Apple Watch look very similar. Both have somewhat square bodies that will definitely let everyone know that it is a smartwatch. If you have had Fitbit’s previously, this will be a totally different setup. It is not the small fitness band that it used to be. There is only one size for the Fitbit Versa. It is a 39mm watch which comes in just a little bigger than Apple’s smallest offering.

The Apple Watch has not changed sizes since its release in 2015. Apple offers a 38mm and 42mm watch size. It is nice having two options for different size wrists. I have used the 42mm size since its release and the Fitbit Versa has made me rethink that size.

You cant go wrong with either device as far as it comes to size, in my opinion. I am loving the size of the of the Versa and you have multiple options when it comes to the Apple Watch.

Battery

I will tell you up front, the winner is the Fitbit. This is also where my Series 2 starts to show its age, compared to its newest iteration, the Series 3. As mentioned in my Fitbit review, I got three full days and about halfway through a fourth, with the Versa. This blew my mind.

With the my nearly two year old Apple Watch, I get one full day. I have just gotten in the habit, since day one, to throw it on the charger overnight, just like my phone. I will take up for Apple here and say that a new Apple Watch does get better battery life. My fiancé recently got the Series 3 (38mm version–which has a small battery) and she can get two days easily.

While I know both batteries will degrade over time, the Versa is clearly the winner here. Knowing I don’t have to charge it every-night is a huge benefit when it comes to consumer electronics. Apple, take note here

Exercise

Fitbit’s entire business is based around fitness. So clearly this will fall under the pro category for the Versa. At a quick glance, you can see your steps, distance, heart rate, calories burned, floors climbed and how many active minutes you have moved. As far as workouts are concerned, you can choose from run, bike, swim, treadmill and weights. An awesome feature, that I was surprised to see, was that Fitbit recognized when I started a run and also when I finished.

The Apple Watch’s fitness functionality has grown quite a bit over the years. Now, it is one of the primary reasons I love my watch. Currently, the Apple Watch can track runs, walks, elliptical workouts, a bike workout, rowing, a stair stepper workout, High Intensity Interval Training (life cross-fit) and swimming. Coming this fall, in iOS 12, the Apple Watch will be gaining hiking and yoga workouts. As it stands today, Apple Watch cannot recognize when you start and stop a workout like the Versa does. It will be gaining this feature with iOS 12, as well.

When it comes to the exercise portion of these devices, I would have to say it is a draw and you are getting a top notch fitness device with either.

Function

Focusing on notifications, the Fitbit Versa can receive and display text messages and give you phone call alerts, and that is it. Those notifications are better than nothing but compared to the Apple Watch, it is lacking.

The Apple Watch will give you notification alerts for pretty much every application that you have installed on your phone.

Another benefit the Apple Watch has over the Fitbit Versa, for me personally, is the on screen music/podcast/audio controls. When listening to my podcasts, if I want to skip a couple of seconds ahead, I can simply do that from my watch. Also, when listening to music, I can play/pause/skip track, all from my watch. You cannot do this with the Fitbit.

As far as functionality on these watches, the Apple Watch is, hands down, the winner.

Remember this paragraph when you get to the price part of this post. GPS. The Apple Watch (Series 2 and later) has GPS built in. The Fitbit Versa does not. If you want a Fitbit similar to the Versa with GPS, you have to opt for the Fitbit Ionic, which is an extra $100. The GPS is nice if you like to map your runs or walks. If you take your phone with you on these workouts, the Fitbit Versa will use connected GPS by using your phones GPS connection. For me this was not a big deal since I do take my phone with my on walks and runs.

Watch Faces

Apple…please read and re-read this part. Bring third-party Apple Watch options to the Apple Watch. This was probably one of my favorite features of the Fitbit Versa. There were thousands of different watch faces and ways to customize them.

The Apple Watch is very limited in the watch face department. While there are options, in true Apple fashion, you are limited to what Apple wants you to have.

I have to give Fitbit a huge win here as it has proven that third party watch faces are cool and would be awesome on the Apple Watch.

Price

The Fitbit costs $199.95 and $229.95 for a special edition that adds the option for NFC payments and a special charcoal or lavender band.

The Apple Watch costs $329 for the smaller 38mm and $359 for the 42mm versions.

Conclusion

If you are a long-time Fitbit fan and have years of statistics logged through the Fitbit app, I cannot recommend their newest fitness device enough.

But the Versa is just that, in my opinion, a fitness device. The Apple Watch offers so much more if we are talking about smart watches. It is still difficult for me to call the Versa a smart watch in its current state.

So here is where I stand, if you want a smart watch, get the Apple Watch. If you are looking for a fitness device, save a few extra bucks and go with the Versa. You will not be disappointed with either.

Let me know which on you are planning on getting!

Images courtesy of Apple and Fitbit

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you decide to purchase after clicking the link.

Among the slew of new features coming to our new devices, Apple is addressing the ongoing social issue of whether or not we spend too much time on our phones. While that is for only us to judge, Apple is helping us be more aware of our usage by putting parental controls in iOS 12 (and self controls)